Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 07.djvu/521

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After the battle of Newberne, North Carolina, the Confederate troops at that place fell back to Kinston, fresh North Carolina troops were ordered to the same place, and soon afterwards the whole force was divided into two brigades. The first was placed under the command of General Robert Ransom, and the second, composed of the Seventh, Eighteenth, Twenty-eighth, Thirty-third and Thirty-seventh North Carolina regiments, was commanded by General L. O'B. Branch. This brigade was known as the "Second North Carolina brigade" from the time of its organization until it was assigned to General A. P. Hill's command. It was then designated as the "Fourth Brigade of the Light Division" until orders were issued directing that all brigades, divisions and corps should be called by the names of their respective commanders. In obedience to these orders, this gallant body of North Carolina troops was then called "Branch's Brigade" until the battle of Sharpsburg, where the heroic Branch was killed. I was soon afterwards promoted to fill the vacancy caused by the death of General Branch, and from that time to the surrender at Appomattox Courthouse this command was known in the Army of Northern Virginia as "Lane's Brigade."

Early in May, 1862, this command was ordered to Virginia, and, on reaching Richmond, it was at once sent to Gordonsville. It remained there and at Rapidan station, on the Orange and Alexandria railroad, only a short time, when it was ordered to the Valley to join General Ewell, but, on reaching the base of the Blue Ridge, the order was countermanded and it was taken to Hanover Courthouse. From that point it was moved, on the 26th of May, to "Slash Church," near Peake's turnout on the Virginia Central railroad.